Brad Shader, Author at Synchrony Pharmacy

October 13th – 16th is Senior Care Pharmacist Week—the perfect time to recognize the pharmacy professionals who help older adults receive safe, effective, and appropriate medication therapy every day. From dispensing and medication access support to clinical consultation and ongoing therapy management, their specialized expertise supports the unique and changing needs of aging adults in senior living and long-term care settings.

Older adults are more likely to manage multiple chronic conditions and take several medications at once. These complex regimens can create challenges involving medication availability, coverage, administration, monitoring, and coordination among care partners. Senior care pharmacists help residents and care teams navigate these challenges throughout the medication-use process.

That support begins with helping ensure residents receive the right medications accurately and on time. Senior care pharmacists and pharmacy teams also help navigate formulary questions, coverage barriers, and prior authorization requirements that might delay treatment. As residents’ health needs change, pharmacists continue to provide comprehensive medication reviews, monitor therapy, and recommend ways to simplify regimens, reduce unnecessary medications, and address potential side effects or drug interactions.

Senior care pharmacists connect medication services to the broader care plan by working closely with physicians, nurses, caregivers, and other members of the care team. This collaboration can improve medication adherence, support chronic disease management and fall prevention efforts, reduce avoidable hospitalizations and create a more coordinated care experience.

Together, these medication services and clinical partnerships provide reassurance for residents and families. Knowing that the pharmacy team is supporting medication access, monitoring therapy, and communicating with the care team can build confidence in the safety and quality of the care being delivered

At Synchrony Pharmacy, we are proud to be part of this work, supporting senior living communities across the medication-use continuum—from reliable dispensing and medication access assistance to consultant pharmacist services, clinical recommendations, and comprehensive medication reviews. For more than 20 years, our pharmacists and pharmacy teams have worked alongside senior living and long-term care communities to enhance safety, optimize medication therapy, and support better resident outcomes.

On behalf of our team, thank you to senior care pharmacists and pharmacy professionals everywhere for the many ways you help older adults live happier, healthier lives.

When people think about senior living, they often picture the little moments—medication passes, wellness checks, meals, and everyday interactions between caregivers and residents. But delivering safe, stable care takes more than medications alone. It takes a dependable pharmacy partner that can support care teams, solve problems quickly, and provide clinical guidance whenever it’s needed.

The reality is that resident needs don’t follow a schedule. Questions about medication changes, urgent refill concerns, or potential interactions can happen at any hour. Long-term care never closes — and neither should clinical support. Around-the-clock pharmacist access helps care teams respond quickly, avoid unnecessary rehospitalizations, and maintain continuity of care for residents when timely decisions matter most.

When caregivers have immediate access to pharmacy support, they can make informed decisions faster and with greater confidence. Whether it’s clarifying an order late at night or responding to a sudden change in a resident’s condition, timely pharmacist guidance helps reduce delays, minimize disruptions in care, and support better outcomes for everyone involved.

Reliable access also creates stability for care teams. Long-term care staff work in fast-paced, high-pressure environments where support matters. Imagine a nurse identifying a potential medication interaction during an overnight shift or needing clarification on an urgent order after regular business hours. Having immediate access to a pharmacist can help resolve the issue quickly, avoid unnecessary stress or delays, and keep resident care moving forward without disruption.

Knowing there’s always a trusted pharmacy partner available can help caregivers feel less isolated during difficult moments and more equipped to focus on resident care. Around-the-clock support doesn’t just benefit residents—it gives care teams added confidence that help is always available when they need it most.

Strong pharmacy partnerships are built on more than medication delivery alone. Responsiveness, consistency, proactive communication, and clinical expertise all play a critical role in helping communities operate smoothly day after day. In long-term care, where resident needs can change quickly, providers need a pharmacy partner that can anticipate challenges, not simply react to them.

At Synchrony Pharmacy, we believe dependable support means being available whenever care teams need us most. Through 24/7 pharmacist access, reliable medication delivery, responsive communication, and deep experience in the long-term care space, we work alongside our partners to help maintain continuity of care, support staff confidence, and improve the overall resident experience.

Spring cleaning usually means opening the windows, clearing out clutter, and refreshing the spaces we use every day. But for senior living communities, it can also be a good time to step back and take a fresh look at clinical processes—especially medication management.

Medication programs are complex systems involving physicians, nurses, pharmacy teams, and caregivers. Even when everything is running smoothly, small gaps can develop over time. A seasonal “reset” offers an opportunity to catch potential risks early and make improvements that support resident safety, staff efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Medication errors remain one of the leading causes of adverse events in senior care. Communities often face challenges like polypharmacy, staff turnover, and constantly evolving regulatory requirements. Taking a structured approach to reviewing medication practices can help teams refocus and strengthen their processes moving forward.

Below are seven practical ways communities can “spring clean” their medication programs.

1. Conduct a full medication room audit.

Start with the physical environment where medications are stored and prepared. A thorough medication room audit can help identify issues that may contribute to errors or inefficiencies.

Look for:

Expired or discontinued medications
Proper labeling and storage practices
Secure medication access and documentation procedures
Organization of medication carts and supplies

Even small adjustments, such as reorganizing medication carts or removing outdated supplies, can make medication passes smoother and safer.

2. Reconcile and review resident medication lists.

Medication lists can change frequently as residents transition between care settings, see specialists, or experience changes in their health status.

Spring is a great time to:

Verify medication orders against physician instructions
Confirm dosing schedules and administration routes
Ensure discontinued medications are properly removed from records

Regular reconciliation helps reduce the risk of duplicate therapies, incorrect dosing, or outdated orders remaining in the system.

3. Address polypharmacy risks proactively.

Polypharmacy—generally defined as the use of multiple medications at the same time—is common among older adults and can increase the risk of drug interactions, falls, and adverse events.

Communities can reduce these risks by:

Collaborating with pharmacists and providers to review medication regimens
Identifying medications that may no longer be necessary
Monitoring residents for side effects or interactions

Regular medication reviews can help ensure each medication continues to support the resident’s current health goals.

4. Refresh staff training on medication administration.

Staff turnover and changing best practices mean that periodic training refreshers are essential. Consider reviewing:

Proper documentation procedures
Infection control during medication passes
Steps to take when an error occurs

Short training sessions or competency reviews can reinforce best practices and give staff greater confidence in their roles.

5. Evaluate your medication pass process.

Medication passes are one of the most time-sensitive responsibilities in senior living communities. When workflows become inefficient, staff may feel rushed, which can increase the likelihood of errors.

Take time to evaluate:

How long medication passes typically take
Interruptions or distractions that may occur
Staffing levels during peak administration times

Simple adjustments, like modifying schedules or reducing interruptions, can make medication passes more manageable for staff and safer for residents.

6. Strengthen communication across care teams.

Medication safety relies on clear communication between nurses, physicians, pharmacy teams, and caregivers.

Communities can improve coordination by:

Standardizing how medication changes are communicated
Ensuring timely updates to electronic health records
Encouraging staff to speak up when they notice discrepancies

Strong communication processes help prevent misunderstandings and ensure everyone involved in a resident’s care is working from the same information.

7. Partner with a pharmacy that supports proactive care.

A pharmacy partner should do more than dispense medications. The right partner acts as an extension of your care team, providing guidance, oversight, and support that strengthens medication safety. Pharmacy partners can help communities:

Identify potential medication risks early
Conduct medication reviews and audits
Provide clinical education for staff
Support regulatory compliance and survey readiness

At Synchrony Pharmacy, our pharmacy teams work closely with communities to provide proactive support and clinical insight that helps keep medication programs running safely and efficiently-so care teams can spend less time troubleshooting and more time focusing on resident care.

Contact us today and start delivering better outcomes tomorrow.

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